Tevin Coleman

The third-year back had a breakthrough performance in 2016, scoring 11 total touchdowns on only 149 touches as he emerged as one of the Falcons' big-play options during their Super Bowl run. Coleman's...

When camps opened last summer, Coleman was viewed as the front-runner in the Atlanta backfield, with Devonta Freeman the secondary option. Coleman was the starter on opening night, but a rib injury knocked him back and Freeman wound up taking the job and running with it. Coleman didn't help his own cause with some occasional fumbling issues. This doesn't mean things can't flip in 2016. Coleman averaged a solid 4.5 per carry as a rookie and Freeman's play dipped significantly in the second half of the year. We know any starting back in a Kyle Shahahan offense can be a bundle of fun, which means at minimum, Coleman is one of the highest-upside backups in the league. Keep an eye on him.

2015

While first-round picks Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon are no slouches, Coleman could be the most exciting back selected in this year's draft, as he can turn any touch into a touchdown. In fact, half of his 28 career rushing TDs at Indiana came on runs of 40 or more yards. While he doesn't have ideal size for a feature back at 5-11, 206, Coleman is incredibly explosive, hitting holes and getting through to the second level before the defense knows what hit it, and his 4.39 time in the 40-yard dash isn't just a track mirage. He also flashes great elusiveness, slipping tackles and changing direction without slowing, and when he does finally run out of room he isn't afraid to lower his pads and fight for extra yards. His receiving skills are also solid, but Coleman's ability to outrun everyone in college did mask some deficiencies, and his vision and patience will need some work for him to take full advantage of his gifts in the NFL. Second-year back Devonta Freeman, a similarly slippery but undersized runner, has the incumbent's advantage in a training camp battle for the top spot in the backfield, and holdover Antone Smith will also see some touches, but Coleman's game-changing speed should make it difficult to keep him off the field.